Rinse-off compositions with a surfactant system that is substantially free of sulfate-based surfactants

ABSTRACT

A rinse-off cleansing composition with improved viscosity. The rinse-off cleansing composition contains a surfactant system with an anionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, and a non-ionic surfactant. The surfactant system is substantially free of sulfate-based surfactants

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to mild rinse-off compositions such as shampoos and body washes containing a surfactant system that is substantially free of sulfate-based surfactants and has an adequate viscosity for ease of use.

BACKGROUND

Human hair and skin can become soiled due to contact with the surrounding environment and from sebum secretion through follicular pores to the skin and/or scalp surface. Soiled hair or skin has a dirty feel and an unattractive appearance. Application and washing of the soiled hair, scalp, and skin with rinse-off composition can restore the hair, scalp, and/or skin to a clean and attractive appearance by removing oil and other soils. Known rinse-off compositions typically remove oil and soil from hair with anionic surfactants.

However, some consumers may prefer a rinse-off composition that is substantially free of sulfate-based surfactant systems. These compositions can have a relatively low viscosity, making them difficult to hold in a user's hand and/or on a cleaning implement and apply across the user's hair, scalp, and/or skin.

Traditional rinse-off compositions with sulfate-based surfactant systems can be thickened by adding salt and/or amphoteric surfactants like betaines and sultaines. However, this approach is not effective for surfactant systems that contain isethionate or amino acid-based surfactants like sarcosinate and glycinate.

Therefore, there is a need for a rinse-off composition that cleans without the use of sulfate-based surfactants and has an adequate viscosity that makes it easy to dispense, hold in a user's hand and/or on a cleaning implement, and apply to a user's hair, scalp, and/or skin.

SUMMARY

A rinse-off cleansing composition comprising: a surfactant system comprising an anionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, and a non-ionic surfactant; wherein the surfactant system is substantially free of sulfate-based surfactants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the effect of adding nonionic cosurfactants at increasing mole fraction on zero-shear viscosity of a surfactant system containing sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine.

FIG. 2A shows zero-shear viscosity as a function of pH for a surfactant system containing sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine when C₁₀OH is added.

FIG. 2B shows zero-shear viscosity as a function of pH for a surfactant system containing sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine when C₁₀E₆ is added.

FIG. 3A shows viscosity maximum as a function of cosurfactant concentration.

FIG. 3B shows the shift in pH of viscosity maximum with respect to cosurfactant concentration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is found that a rinse-off cleansing composition with a surfactant system that is substantially free of sulfate-based surfactant can have improved viscosity when a nonionic cosurfactant is added to the surfactant system.

For rinse-off cleansing compositions such as shampoos and body washes, wormlike micelles are often used as a rheology control mechanism because of their high viscosity and shear-thinning properties. This helps ensure easy dispensing from containers and easy spreading on the hair, scalp, and/or skin.

A simple way to achieve wormlike micelle aggregation in an ionic surfactant composition that contains anionic sulfate-based surfactants can be to add inorganic and/or organic salt to the surfactant solution and/or liquid rinse-off composition. This can help screen the electrostatic repulsion between charged head groups and can allow the surfactant molecules to pack more tightly. A similar effect can be observed when mixing surfactants bearing different net charges. Examples include mixtures of cationic and anionic surfactants and of anionic and zwitterionic surfactants.

However, these approaches are not as effective for surfactant systems that contain isethionate or and/or amino-acid derived surfactants, which can have advantages including excellent adsorption and aggregation properties and can also be perceived by consumers as milder and more natural. It was found that adding sodium chloride (NaCl) to a model anionic amino acid-derived surfactant composition, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate (SLSar) 15%, did not thicken the formulation until the salt concentration reached 16%, much higher than reasonably acceptable.

The formulation also did not thicken when a zwitterionic surfactant at neutral pH. When cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (CAHS) was combined with SLSar at neutral pH, it was found that adjusting the pH to 4.8-5, which is near the pK_(a) of SLSar, was effective in thickening the formulation. In addition to pH titration, combining SLSar with CAHS at a 6:9 weight ratio (equivalent to a 1:1 molar ratio) could maximize the thickening effect. It is believed that lowering the pH led to protonation of the SLSar carboxylate group, which reduced the effective packing area and increased the packing parameter, leading to formation of wormlike micelles. Wormlike micelle formation was confirmed via cryo-TEM analysis near the viscosity maximum. However, the viscosity maximum was narrow and fixed at pH 4.8-5. Hence, it was of interest to find alternative thickening mechanisms that shift and/or broaden the viscosity peak.

It was found that the addition of nonionic cosurfactants can increase the viscosity of a rinse-off composition. It was also found that this result was pH sensitive. The rinse-off formulation can have viscosity peak that is shifted and/or broadened, making it easier to formulate, as compared to the zwitterionic surfactant, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (CAHS) were combined with SLSar, as discussed above.

As shown in the Examples and accompanying figures (FIGS. 1-3 ) and text, we added looked at the impact of various nonionic surfactants, surfactant concentration, and pH on the viscosity of a system containing a 6:9 weight ratio of SLSar to CAHS. It was found that adding nonionic cosurfactants to the SLSar/CAHS system increased its viscosity at neutral pH, except for the C_(n)E₆ cosurfactants. When pH was lowered, two separate effects were observed: a decrease in the magnitude and a shift in the pH of the viscosity maximum. For the first effect, the more hydrophobic the cosurfactant, the higher the viscosity maximum. For the second effect, the higher the viscosity at the natural pH, the higher the pH of the viscosity maximum. Many of the tested nonionic surfactants showed promising effects, which provides formulation flexibility. In some examples, a C₁₂ fatty acid could be preferred.

The pH of the rinse-off cleansing composition can be from about 5 to about 8.5, alternatively from about 6 to about 8, and alternatively from about 6.5 to about 7.5, according to the pH Test Method, described hereafter. The pH can be greater than 5, greater than 5.5, or greater than 6. The pH can be less than 8, less than 7.5, and alternatively less than 7.

As used herein, the term “fluid” includes liquids and gels.

As used herein, the articles including “a” and “an” when used in a claim, are understood to mean one or more of what is claimed or described.

As used herein, “comprising” means that other steps and other ingredients which do not affect the end result can be added. This term encompasses the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”.

As used herein, “mixtures” is meant to include a simple combination of materials and any compounds that may result from their combination.

As used herein, “molecular weight” or “M.Wt.” refers to the weight average molecular weight unless otherwise stated. Molecular weight is measured using industry standard method, gel permeation chromatography (“GPC”). The molecular weight has units of grams/mol.

As used herein, “cleansing composition” includes personal cleansing products such as shampoos, conditioners, conditioning shampoos, shower gels, liquid hand cleansers, facial cleansers, and other surfactant-based liquid compositions.

As used herein, the terms “include,” “includes,” and “including,” are meant to be non-limiting and are understood to mean “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising,” respectively.

The cleansing composition can be clear prior to dilution with water. The term “clear” or “transparent” as used herein, means that the compositions have a percent transparency (% T) of at least about 80% transmittance at 600 nm, as determined by the Clarity Assessment, described hereafter. The % T can be at 600 nm from about 75% to about 100%, from about 80% to about 100%, from about 85% to about 100%, from about 90% to about 100%, from about 95% to about 100%, as determined by the Clarity Assessment, described hereafter.

All percentages, parts and ratios are based upon the total weight of the compositions of the present invention, unless otherwise specified. All such weights as they pertain to listed ingredients are based on the active level and, therefore, do not include carriers or by-products that may be included in commercially available materials.

Unless otherwise noted, all component or composition levels are in reference to the active portion of that component or composition, and are exclusive of impurities, for example, residual solvents or by-products, which may be present in commercially available sources of such components or compositions.

It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this specification includes every lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this specification will include every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.

Surfactant System

The rinse-off cleansing compositions described herein can include one or more surfactants in the surfactant system. The one or more surfactants can be substantially free of sulfate-based surfactants. As can be appreciated, surfactants can provide a cleaning benefit to soiled articles such as hair, skin, scalp, and hair follicles by facilitating the removal of oil and other soils. Surfactants generally facilitate such cleaning due to their amphiphilic nature which allows for the surfactants to break up, and form micelles around, oil and other soils which can then be rinsed out, thereby removing them from the soiled article. In some examples, suitable surfactants for a cleansing composition can include anionic moieties to allow for the formation of a coacervate with a cationic polymer. The surfactant can be selected from anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and combinations thereof.

The concentration of the surfactant in the composition should be sufficient to provide the desired cleaning and lather performance. The cleansing composition can comprise a total surfactant level of from about 6% to about 50%, from about 5% to about 35%, a total surfactant level of from about 10% to about 50%, by weight, from about 15% to about 45%, by weight, from about 20% to about 40%, by weight, from about 22% to about 35%, and/or from about 25% to about 30%.

Cleansing compositions typically employ sulfate-based surfactant systems (such as, but not limited to, sodium lauryl sulfate) because of their effectiveness in lather production, stability, clarity and cleansing. The cleansing compositions described herein can be substantially free of sulfate-based surfactants. “Substantially free” of sulfate based surfactants as used herein means from about 0 wt % to about 3 wt %, alternatively from about 0 wt % to about 2 wt %, alternatively from about 0 wt % to about 1 wt %, alternatively from about 0 wt % to about 0.5 wt %, alternatively from about 0 wt % to about 0.25 wt %, alternatively from about 0 wt % to about 0.1 wt %, alternatively from about 0 wt % to about 0.05 wt %, alternatively from about 0 wt % to about 0.01 wt %, alternatively from about 0 wt % to about 0.001 wt %, and/or alternatively free of sulfates. As used herein, “free of” means 0 wt %.

Additionally, the surfactant systems described herein can have from about 0 wt % to about 1 wt % of inorganic salts.

Anionic, Zwitterionic, and Amphoteric Surfactants

The rinse-off cleansing composition can contain from about 1 wt % to about 20 wt % anionic surfactant, alternatively from about 2 wt % to about 15 wt %, alternatively from about 3 wt % to about 10 wt %, alternatively from about 4 wt % to about 7 wt %, and alternatively from about 5 wt % to about 6 wt %. In some examples, the primary surfactant is an anionic surfactant. In other examples, the anionic surfactant is not the primary surfactant.

Suitable surfactants that are substantially free of sulfates can include sodium, ammonium or potassium salts of isethionates; sodium, ammonium or potassium salts of sulfonates; sodium, ammonium or potassium salts of ether sulfonates; sodium, ammonium or potassium salts of sulfosuccinates; sodium, ammonium or potassium salts of sulfoacetates; sodium, ammonium or potassium salts of glycinates; sodium, ammonium or potassium salts of sarcosinates; sodium, ammonium or potassium salts of glutamates; sodium, ammonium or potassium salts of alaninates; sodium, ammonium or potassium salts of carboxylates; sodium, ammonium or potassium salts of taurates; sodium, ammonium or potassium salts of phosphate esters; and combinations thereof.

The surfactant system can include one or more amino acid based anionic surfactants. Non-limiting examples of amino acid based anionic surfactants can include sodium, ammonium or potassium salts of acyl glycinates; sodium, ammonium or potassium salts of acyl sarcosinates; sodium, ammonium or potassium salts of acyl glutamates; sodium, ammonium or potassium salts of acyl alaninates and combinations thereof.

The amino acid based anionic surfactant can be a glutamate, for instance an acyl glutamate. The composition can comprise an acyl glutamate level from about 2% to about 22%, by weight, from about 3% to about 19%, by weight, 4% to about 17%, by weight, and/or from about 5% to about 15%, by weight.

Non-limiting examples of acyl glutamates can be selected from the group consisting of sodium cocoyl glutamate, disodium cocoyl glutamate, ammonium cocoyl glutamate, diammonium cocoyl glutamate, sodium lauroyl glutamate, disodium lauroyl glutamate, sodium cocoyl hydrolyzed wheat protein glutamate, disodium cocoyl hydrolyzed wheat protein glutamate, potassium cocoyl glutamate, dipotassium cocoyl glutamate, potassium lauroyl glutamate, dipotassium lauroyl glutamate, potassium cocoyl hydrolyzed wheat protein glutamate, dipotassium cocoyl hydrolyzed wheat protein glutamate, sodium capryloyl glutamate, disodium capryloyl glutamate, potassium capryloyl glutamate, dipotassium capryloyl glutamate, sodium undecylenoyl glutamate, disodium undecylenoyl glutamate, potassium undecylenoyl glutamate, dipotassium undecylenoyl glutamate, disodium hydrogenated tallow glutamate, sodium stearoyl glutamate, disodium stearoyl glutamate, potassium stearoyl glutamate, dipotassium stearoyl glutamate, sodium myristoyl glutamate, disodium myristoyl glutamate, potassium myristoyl glutamate, dipotassium myristoyl glutamate, sodium cocoyl/hydrogenated tallow glutamate, sodium cocoyl/palmoyl/sunfloweroyl glutamate, sodium hydrogenated tallowoyl Glutamate, sodium olivoyl glutamate, disodium olivoyl glutamate, sodium palmoyl glutamate, disodium palmoyl Glutamate, TEA-cocoyl glutamate, TEA-hydrogenated tallowoyl glutamate, TEA-lauroyl glutamate, and mixtures thereof.

The amino acid based anionic surfactant can be an alaninate, for instance an acyl alaninate. Non-limiting example of acyl alaninates can include sodium cocoyl alaninate, sodium lauroyl alaninate, sodium N-dodecanoyl-1-alaninate, or combinations thereof. The composition can comprise an acyl alaninate level from about 2% to about 20%, by weight, from about 7% to about 15%, by weight, and/or from about 8% to about 12%, by weight.

The amino acid based anionic surfactant can be a sarcosinate, for instance an acyl sarcosinate. Non-limiting examples of sarcosinates can be selected from the group consisting of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, TEA-cocoyl sarcosinate, ammonium cocoyl sarcosinate, ammonium lauroyl sarcosinate, dimer dilinoleyl bis-lauroylglutamate/lauroylsarcosinate, disodium lauroamphodiacetate lauroyl sarcosinate, isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate, potassium cocoyl sarcosinate, potassium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, sodium oleoyl sarcosinate, sodium palmitoyl sarcosinate, TEA-cocoyl sarcosinate, TEA-lauroyl sarcosinate, TEA-oleoyl sarcosinate, TEA-palm kernel sarcosinate, and combinations thereof.

The amino acid based anionic surfactant can be a glycinate for instance an acyl glycinate. Non-limiting example of acyl glycinates can include sodium cocoyl glycinate, sodium lauroyl glycinate, or combination thereof.

The composition can contain additional anionic surfactants selected from the group consisting of sulfosuccinates, isethionates, sulfonates, sulfoacetates, glucose carboxylates, alkyl ether carboxylates, acyl taurates, and mixture thereof.

Non-limiting examples of sulfosuccinate surfactants can include disodium N-octadecyl sulfosuccinate, disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, diammonium lauryl sulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, tetrasodium N-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)-N-octadecyl sulfosuccinnate, diamyl ester of sodium sulfosuccinic acid, dihexyl ester of sodium sulfosuccinic acid, dioctyl esters of sodium sulfosuccinic acid, and combinations thereof. The composition can comprise a sulfosuccinate level from about 2% to about 22%, by weight, from about 3% to about 19%, by weight, 4% to about 17%, by weight, and/or from about 5% to about 15%, by weight.

Suitable isethionate surfactants can include the reaction product of fatty acids esterified with isethionic acid and neutralized with sodium hydroxide. Suitable fatty acids for isethionate surfactants can be derived from coconut oil or palm kernel oil including amides of methyl tauride. Non-limiting examples of isethionates can be selected from the group consisting of sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, ammonium cocoyl isethionate, sodium hydrogenated cocoyl methyl isethionate, sodium lauroyl isethionate, sodium cocoyl methyl isethionate, sodium myristoyl isethionate, sodium oleoyl isethionate, sodium oleyl methyl isethionate, sodium palm kerneloyl isethionate, sodium stearoyl methyl isethionate, and mixtures thereof.

Non-limiting examples of sulfonates can include alpha olefin sulfonates, linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, sodium laurylglucosides hydroxypropylsulfonate, or combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of sulfoacetates can include sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, ammonium lauryl sulfoacetate, or combinations thereof.

Non-limiting example of glucose carboxylates can include sodium lauryl glucoside carboxylate, sodium cocoyl glucoside carboxylate, or combinations thereof.

Non-limiting example of alkyl ether carboxylate can include sodium laureth-4 carboxylate, laureth-5 carboxylate, laureth-13 carboxylate, sodium C12-13 pareth-8 carboxylate, sodium C12-15 pareth-8 carboxylate, or combinations thereof.

Non-limiting example of acyl taurates can include sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, sodium methyl lauroyl taurate, sodium methyl oleoyl taurate, or combinations thereof.

The surfactant system may further comprise one or more amphoteric surfactants and the amphoteric surfactant can be selected from the group consisting of betaines, sultaines, hydroxysultanes, amphohydroxypropyl sulfonates, alkyl amphoactates, alkyl amphodiacetates, or combinations thereof.

Examples of betaine amphoteric surfactants can include coco dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, cocoamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), cocobetaine, lauryl amidopropyl betaine (LAPB), oleyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl alphacarboxyethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) carboxymethyl betaine, stearyl bis-(2-hydroxypropyl) carboxymethyl betaine, oleyl dimethyl gamma-carboxypropyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxypropyl)alpha-carboxyethyl betaine, and mixtures thereof. Examples of sulfobetaines can include coco dimethyl sulfopropyl betaine, stearyl dimethyl sulfopropyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl sulfoethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) sulfopropyl betaine and mixtures thereof.

Non-limiting example of alkylamphoacetates can include sodium cocoyl amphoacetate, sodium lauroyl amphoacetate, or combinations thereof.

The amphoteric surfactant can comprise cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), lauramidopropyl betaine (LAPB), and combinations thereof. In other examples, the amphoteric surfactant can include cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine.

The cleansing composition can comprise a amphoteric surfactant level from about 0.5 wt % to about 20 wt %, from about 1 wt % to about 15 wt %, from about 2 wt % to about 13 wt %, from about 3 wt % to about 15 wt %, and/or from about 5 wt % to about 10 wt %. The cleansing composition can comprise a amphoteric surfactant level from about 3 wt % to about 17 wt %, alternatively from about 4 wt % to about 14 wt %, alternatively from about 5 wt % to about 12 wt %, alternatively from about 6 wt % to about 10 wt %, and alternatively from about 7 wt % to about 9 wt %. In some examples, the amphoteric surfactant can be the primary surfactant. In other examples, the amphoteric surfactant is not the primary surfactant.

The surfactant system can have a weight ratio of anionic surfactant to amphoteric surfactant from about 1:5 to about 10:1, from about 1:2 to about 7:1, from 1:1 to about 5:1, and/or from about 2:1 to about 4:1. The surfactant system can have a weight ratio of anionic surfactant to amphoteric surfactant greater than 1:1, greater than 3:2, greater than 9:5, and/or greater than 2:1.

In another example, the surfactant system can have a weight ratio of anionic surfactant to amphoteric surfactant from about 2:1 to about 1:10, alternatively from about 2:3 to about 1:7, alternatively from about 1:2 to about 1:5, alternatively from about 1:3. The surfactant system can have a weight ratio of anionic surfactant to amphoteric surfactant less than 2:1, alternatively less than 1:1, and alternatively less than 1:2.

Nonionic Surfactants

The rinse-off cleansing composition can include a nonionic surfactant. The composition can contain from about 0.05 wt % to about 5 wt % nonionic surfactant, alternatively from about 0.1 wt % to about 4 wt %, alternatively from about 0.25 wt % to about 3 wt %, alternatively from about 0.3 wt % to about 2.5 wt %, alternatively from about 0.4 wt % to about 2.25 wt %, alternatively from about 0.5 wt % to about 2 wt %, and alternatively from about 0.6 wt % to about 1.9 wt %. Generally, suitable nonionic surfactants can include compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups (hydrophilic in nature) with an organic hydrophobic compound, which may be aliphatic or alkyl aromatic in nature. Examples of suitable nonionic surfactants can include:

-   -   1. The polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols. For         example, the condensation products of alkyl phenols having an         alkyl group containing from 6 to 20 carbon atoms in either a         straight chain or branched chain configuration, with ethylene         oxide, the said ethylene oxide being present in amounts equal to         from about 10 to about 60 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of         alkyl phenol.     -   2. Those derived from the condensation of ethylene oxide with         the product resulting from the reaction of propylene oxide and         ethylene diamine products.     -   3. The condensation product of aliphatic alcohols having from 8         to 18 carbon atoms, in either straight chain or branched chain         configuration, with ethylene oxide, e.g., a coconut alcohol         ethylene oxide condensate having from about 10 to about 30 moles         of ethylene oxide per mole of coconut alcohol, the coconut         alcohol fraction having from 10 to 14 carbon atoms.     -   4. Long chain tertiary amine oxides corresponding to the         following general formula:

R⁸R⁹R¹⁰N->O

-   -   wherein R⁸ contains an alkyl, alkenyl or monohydroxy alkyl         radical of from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, from 0 to about 10         ethylene oxide moieties, and from 0 to about 1 glyceryl         moieties, and R⁹ and R¹⁹ contain from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and         from 0 to about 1 hydroxy groups, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl,         hydroxyethyl, or hydroxypropyl radicals. The arrow in the         formula is a conventional representation of a semipolar bond.     -   5. Long chain tertiary phosphine oxides corresponding to the         following general formula:

R¹¹R¹²R¹³P->O

-   -   wherein R¹¹ contains an alkyl, alkenyl or monohydroxyalkyl         radical ranging from 8 to 18 carbon atoms in chain length, from         0 to about 10 ethylene oxide moieties and from 0 to about 1         glyceryl moieties and R¹² and R¹³ are each alkyl or         monohydroxyalkyl groups containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.     -   6. Long chain dialkyl sulfoxides containing one short chain         alkyl or hydroxy alkyl radical of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms         (usually methyl) and one long hydrophobic chain which include         alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxy alkyl, or keto alkyl radicals containing         from 8 to 20 carbon atoms, from 0 to about 10 ethylene oxide         moieties and from 0 to about 1 glyceryl moiety.     -   7. Alkyl polysaccharide (“APS”) surfactants such as the alkyl         polyglycosides. Such surfactants are described in U.S. Pat. No.         4,565,647 which is hereby incorporated by reference. APS         surfactants can include a hydrophobic group with 6 to 30 carbon         atoms and can include polysaccharide (e.g., polyglycoside) as         the hydrophilic group. Optionally, there can be a         polyalkylene-oxide group joining the hydrophobic and hydrophilic         moieties. The alkyl group (i.e., the hydrophobic moiety) can be         saturated or unsaturated, branched or unbranched, and         unsubstituted or substituted (e.g., with hydroxy or cyclic         rings).     -   8. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) glyceryl fatty esters, such as         those of the formula R(O)OCH₂CH(OH)CH₂(OCH₂CH₂)_(n)OH wherein n         is from 5 to 200 or from 20 to 100, and R is an aliphatic         hydrocarbyl having from 8 to 20 carbon atoms.     -   9. Glucoside surfactants including, for example, lauryl         glucoside, coco glucoside, and decyl glucoside.     -   10. Certain surfactant-emulsifying compounds such as laureth-4.

Specific examples of nonionic detersive surfactants suitable for inclusion in a cleansing compositions can include cocamide, cocamide methyl MEA, cocamide DEA, cocamide MEA, cocamide MIPA, lauramide DEA, lauramide MEA, lauramide MIPA, myristamide DEA, myristamide MEA, PEG-20 cocamide MEA, PEG-2 cocamide, PEG-3 cocamide, PEG-4 cocamide, PEG-5 cocamide, PEG-6 cocamide, PEG-7 cocamide, PEG-3 lauramide, PEG-5 lauramide, PEG-3 oleamide, PPG-2 cocamide, PPG-2 hydroxyethyl cocamide, and mixtures thereof.

In some examples, the nonionic surfactant can be selected from the group consisting alkyl polyglucoside, alkyl glycoside, acyl glucamide and mixture thereof. Non-limiting examples of alkyl glucosides can include decyl glucoside, cocoyl glucoside, lauroyl glucoside, or combinations thereof.

In some examples, the nonionic surfactant can be a fatty alcohol C_(n)OH (e.g. decanol, dodecanol), an ethoxylated fatty alcohol C_(n)E₃ (e.g. C10 Alcohol ethoxylate EO 2.5, C12 Alcohol ethoxylate EO 3), an ethoxylated fatty alcohols C_(n)E₆ (e.g. C10 Alcohol ethoxylate EO 6, C12 Alcohol ethoxylate EO 6.5), an alkanediols C_(n)diol (e.g. 1,2-Decanediol, 1,2-Dodecanediol, 1,2-Tetradecanediol), a fatty acid C_(n)Acid (e.g. lauric acid), and combinations thereof.

Additional examples of suitable detersive surfactants are described in McCutcheon's, Emulsifiers and Detergents, 1989 Annual, published by M. C. Publishing Co., U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,438,091, 2,528,378, 2,658,072, 3,929,678, 5,104,646, and 5,106,609, 6,649,155; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0317698; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0206355, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Cationic Polymer

A cleansing composition can include a cationic polymer to allow formation of a coacervate. As can be appreciated, the cationic charge of a cationic polymer can interact with an anionic charge of a surfactant to form the coacervate. Suitable cationic polymers can include: (a) a cationic guar polymer, (b) a cationic non-guar galactomannan polymer, (c) a cationic starch polymer, (d) a cationic copolymer of acrylamide monomers and cationic monomers, (e) a synthetic, non-crosslinked, cationic polymer, which may or may not form lyotropic liquid crystals upon combination with the detersive surfactant, and (f) a cationic cellulose polymer. In certain examples, more than one cationic polymer can be included.

A cationic polymer can be included by weight of the cleansing composition at about 0.05% to about 3%, about 0.075% to about 2.0%, or at about 0.1% to about 1.0%. Cationic polymers can have cationic charge densities of about 0.9 meq/g or more, about 1.2 meq/g or more, and about 1.5 meq/g or more. However, cationic charge density can also be about 7 meq/g or less and alternatively about 5 meq/g or less. The charge densities can be measured at the pH of intended use of the cleansing composition. (e.g., at about pH 3 to about pH 9; or about pH 4 to about pH 8). The average molecular weight of cationic polymers can generally be between about 10,000 and 10 million, between about 50,000 and about 5 million, and between about 100,000 and about 3 million, and between about 300,000 and about 3 million and between about 100,000 and about 2.5 million. Low molecular weight cationic polymers can be used. Low molecular weight cationic polymers can have greater translucency in the liquid carrier of a cleansing composition. The cationic polymer can be a single type, such as the cationic guar polymer guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride having a weight average molecular weight of about 2.5 million g/mol or less, and the cleansing composition can have an additional cationic polymer of the same or different types.

Cationic Guar Polymer

The cationic polymer can be a cationic guar polymer, which is a cationically substituted galactomannan (guar) gum derivative. Suitable guar gums for guar gum derivatives can be obtained as a naturally occurring material from the seeds of the guar plant. As can be appreciated, the guar molecule is a straight chain mannan which is branched at regular intervals with single membered galactose units on alternative mannose units. The mannose units are linked to each other by means of β(1-4) glycosidic linkages. The galactose branching arises by way of an α(1-6) linkage. Cationic derivatives of the guar gums can be obtained through reactions between the hydroxyl groups of the polygalactomannan and reactive quaternary ammonium compounds. The degree of substitution of the cationic groups onto the guar structure can be sufficient to provide the requisite cationic charge density described above.

A cationic guar polymer can have a weight average molecular weight (“M.Wt.”) of less than about 3 million g/mol, and can have a charge density from about 0.05 meq/g to about 2.5 meq/g. Alternatively, the cationic guar polymer can have a weight average M.Wt. of less than 1.5 million g/mol, from about 150 thousand g/mol to about 1.5 million g/mol, from about 200 thousand g/mol to about 1.5 million g/mol, from about 300 thousand g/mol to about 1.5 million g/mol, and from about 700,000 thousand g/mol to about 1.5 million g/mol. The cationic guar polymer can have a charge density from about 0.2 meq/g to about 2.2 meq/g, from about 0.3 meq/g to about 2.0 meq/g, from about 0.4 meq/g to about 1.8 meq/g; and from about 0.5 meq/g to about 1.7 meq/g.

A cationic guar polymer can have a weight average M.Wt. of less than about 1 million g/mol, and can have a charge density from about 0.1 meq/g to about 2.5 meq/g. A cationic guar polymer can have a weight average M.Wt. of less than 900 thousand g/mol, from about 150 thousand to about 800 thousand g/mol, from about 200 thousand g/mol to about 700 thousand g/mol, from about 300 thousand to about 700 thousand g/mol, from about 400 thousand to about 600 thousand g/mol, from about 150 thousand g/mol to about 800 thousand g/mol, from about 200 thousand g/mol to about 700 thousand g/mol, from about 300 thousand g/mol to about 700 thousand g/mol, and from about 400 thousand g/mol to about 600 thousand g/mol. A cationic guar polymer has a charge density from about 0.2 meq/g to about 2.2 meq/g, from about 0.3 meq/g to about 2.0 meq/g, from about 0.4 meq/g to about 1.8 meq/g; and from about 0.5 meq/g to about 1.5 meq/g.

A cleansing composition can include from about 0.01% to less than about 0.7%, by weight of the cleansing composition of a cationic guar polymer, from about 0.04% to about 0.55%, by weight, from about 0.08% to about 0.5%, by weight, from about 0.16% to about 0.5%, by weight, from about 0.2% to about 0.5%, by weight, from about 0.3% to about 0.5%, by weight, and from about 0.4% to about 0.5%, by weight.

The cationic guar polymer can be formed from quaternary ammonium compounds which conform to general Formula II:

wherein where R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are methyl or ethyl groups; and R⁶ is either an epoxyalkyl group of the general Formula III:

or R⁶ is a halohydrin group of the general Formula IV:

wherein R⁷ is a C₁ to C₃ alkylene; X is chlorine or bromine, and Z is an anion such as Cl—, Br—, I— or HSO₄—. Suitable cationic guar polymers can conform to the general formula V:

wherein R⁸ is guar gum; and wherein R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are as defined above; and wherein Z is a halogen. Suitable cationic guar polymers can conform to Formula VI:

wherein R⁸ is guar gum.

Suitable cationic guar polymers can also include cationic guar gum derivatives, such as guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride. Suitable examples of guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chlorides can include the Jaguar® series commercially available from Solvay S.A., Hi-Care Series from Rhodia, and N-Hance and AquaCat from Ashland Inc. Jaguar® C-500 has a charge density of 0.8 meq/g and a M.Wt. of 500,000 g/mole; Jaguar Optima has a cationic charge density of about 1.25 meg/g and a M.Wt. of about 500,000 g/moles; Jaguar® C-17 has a cationic charge density of about 0.6 meq/g and a M.Wt. of about 2.2 million g/mol; Jaguar® and a cationic charge density of about 0.8 meq/g; Hi-Care 1000 has a charge density of about 0.7 meq/g and a M.Wt. of about 600,000 g/mole; N-Hance 3269 and N-Hance 3270, have a charge density of about 0.7 meq/g and a M.Wt. of about 425,000 g/mole; N-Hance 3196 has a charge density of about 0.8 meq/g and a M.Wt. of about 1,100,000 g/mole; and AquaCat CG518 has a charge density of about 0.9 meq/g and a M.Wt. of about 50,000 g/mole. N-Hance BF-13 and N-Hance BF-17 are borate (boron) free guar polymers. N-Hance BF-13 has a charge density of about 1.1 meq/g and M.W.t of about 800,000 and N-Hance BF-17 has a charge density of about 1.7 meq/g and M.W.t of about 800,000. BF-17 has a charge density of about 1.7 meq/g and M.W.t of about 800,000. BF-17 has a charge density of about 1.7 meq/g and M.W.t of about 800,000. BF-17 has a charge density of about 1.7 meq/g and M.W.t of about 800,000. BF-17 has a charge density of about 1.7 meq/g and M.W.t of about 800,000.

Cationic Non-Guar Galactomannan Polymer

The cationic polymer can be a galactomannan polymer derivative. Suitable galactomannan polymer can have a mannose to galactose ratio of greater than 2:1 on a monomer to monomer basis and can be a cationic galactomannan polymer derivative or an amphoteric galactomannan polymer derivative having a net positive charge. As used herein, the term “cationic galactomannan” refers to a galactomannan polymer to which a cationic group is added. The term “amphoteric galactomannan” refers to a galactomannan polymer to which a cationic group and an anionic group are added such that the polymer has a net positive charge.

Galactomannan polymers can be present in the endosperm of seeds of the Leguminosae family Galactomannan polymers are made up of a combination of mannose monomers and galactose monomers. The galactomannan molecule is a straight chain mannan branched at regular intervals with single membered galactose units on specific mannose units. The mannose units are linked to each other by means of β (1-4) glycosidic linkages. The galactose branching arises by way of an α (1-6) linkage. The ratio of mannose monomers to galactose monomers varies according to the species of the plant and can be affected by climate. Non Guar Galactomannan polymer derivatives can have a ratio of mannose to galactose of greater than 2:1 on a monomer to monomer basis. Suitable ratios of mannose to galactose can also be greater than 3:1 or greater than 4:1. Analysis of mannose to galactose ratios is well known in the art and is typically based on the measurement of the galactose content.

The gum for use in preparing the non-guar galactomannan polymer derivatives can be obtained from naturally occurring materials such as seeds or beans from plants. Examples of various non-guar galactomannan polymers include Tara gum (3 parts mannose/1 part galactose), Locust bean or Carob (4 parts mannose/1 part galactose), and Cassia gum (5 parts mannose/1 part galactose).

A non-guar galactomannan polymer derivative can have a M. Wt. from about 1,000 g/mol to about 10,000,000 g/mol, and a M.Wt. from about 5,000 g/mol to about 3,000,000 g/mol.

The cleansing compositions described herein can include galactomannan polymer derivatives which have a cationic charge density from about 0.5 meq/g to about 7 meq/g. The galactomannan polymer derivatives can have a cationic charge density from about 1 meq/g to about 5 meq/g. The degree of substitution of the cationic groups onto the galactomannan structure can be sufficient to provide the requisite cationic charge density.

A galactomannan polymer derivative can be a cationic derivative of the non-guar galactomannan polymer, which is obtained by reaction between the hydroxyl groups of the polygalactomannan polymer and reactive quaternary ammonium compounds. Suitable quaternary ammonium compounds for use in forming the cationic galactomannan polymer derivatives include those conforming to the general Formulas II to VI, as defined above.

Cationic non-guar galactomannan polymer derivatives formed from the reagents described above can be represented by the general Formula VII:

wherein R is the gum. The cationic galactomannan derivative can be a gum hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride, which can be more specifically represented by the general Formula VIII:

The galactomannan polymer derivative can be an amphoteric galactomannan polymer derivative having a net positive charge, obtained when the cationic galactomannan polymer derivative further comprises an anionic group.

A cationic non-guar galactomannan can have a ratio of mannose to galactose which is greater than about 4:1, a M.Wt. of about 100,000 g/mol to about 500,000 g/mol, a M.Wt. of about 50,000 g/mol to about 400,000 g/mol, and a cationic charge density from about 1 meq/g to about 5 meq/g, and from about 2 meq/g to about 4 meq/g.

Cleansing compositions can include at least about 0.05% of a galactomannan polymer derivative by weight of the composition. The cleansing compositions can include from about 0.05% to about 2%, by weight of the composition, of a galactomannan polymer derivative.

Cationic Starch Polymers

Suitable cationic polymers can also be water-soluble cationically modified starch polymers. As used herein, the term “cationically modified starch” refers to a starch to which a cationic group is added prior to degradation of the starch to a smaller molecular weight, or wherein a cationic group is added after modification of the starch to achieve a desired molecular weight. The definition of the term “cationically modified starch” also includes amphoterically modified starch. The term “amphoterically modified starch” refers to a starch hydrolysate to which a cationic group and an anionic group are added.

The cleansing compositions described herein can include cationically modified starch polymers at a range of about 0.01% to about 10%, and/or from about 0.05% to about 5%, by weight of the composition.

The cationically modified starch polymers disclosed herein have a percent of bound nitrogen of from about 0.5% to about 4%.

The cationically modified starch polymers can have a molecular weight from about 850,000 g/mol to about 15,000,000 g/mol and from about 900,000 g/mol to about 5,000,000 g/mol.

Cationically modified starch polymers can have a charge density of from about 0.2 meq/g to about 5 meq/g, and from about 0.2 meq/g to about 2 meq/g. The chemical modification to obtain such a charge density can include the addition of amino and/or ammonium groups into the starch molecules. Non-limiting examples of such ammonium groups can include substituents such as hydroxypropyl trimonium chloride, trimethylhydroxypropyl ammonium chloride, dimethylstearylhydroxypropyl ammonium chloride, and dimethyldodecylhydroxypropyl ammonium chloride. Further details are described in Solarek, D. B., Cationic Starches in Modified Starches: Properties and Uses, Wurzburg, O. B., Ed., CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Fla. 1986, pp 113-125 which is hereby incorporated by reference. The cationic groups can be added to the starch prior to degradation to a smaller molecular weight or the cationic groups may be added after such modification.

A cationically modified starch polymer can have a degree of substitution of a cationic group from about 0.2 to about 2.5. As used herein, the “degree of substitution” of the cationically modified starch polymers is an average measure of the number of hydroxyl groups on each anhydroglucose unit which is derivatized by substituent groups. Since each anhydroglucose unit has three potential hydroxyl groups available for substitution, the maximum possible degree of substitution is 3. The degree of substitution is expressed as the number of moles of substituent groups per mole of anhydroglucose unit, on a molar average basis. The degree of substitution can be determined using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (“¹H NMR”) methods well known in the art. Suitable ¹H NMR techniques include those described in “Observation on NMR Spectra of Starches in Dimethyl Sulfoxide, Iodine-Complexing, and Solvating in Water-Dimethyl Sulfoxide”, Qin-Ji Peng and Arthur S. Perlin, Carbohydrate Research, 160 (1987), 57-72; and “An Approach to the Structural Analysis of Oligosaccharides by NMR Spectroscopy”, J. Howard Bradbury and J. Grant Collins, Carbohydrate Research, 71, (1979), 15-25.

The source of starch before chemical modification can be selected from a variety of sources such as tubers, legumes, cereal, and grains. For example, starch sources can include corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, waxy corn starch, oat starch, cassaya starch, waxy barley, waxy rice starch, glutenous rice starch, sweet rice starch, amioca, potato starch, tapioca starch, oat starch, sago starch, sweet rice, or mixtures thereof. Suitable cationically modified starch polymers can be selected from degraded cationic maize starch, cationic tapioca, cationic potato starch, and mixtures thereof. Cationically modified starch polymers are cationic corn starch and cationic tapioca.

The starch, prior to degradation or after modification to a smaller molecular weight, can include one or more additional modifications. For example, these modifications may include cross-linking, stabilization reactions, phosphorylations, and hydrolyzations. Stabilization reactions can include alkylation and esterification.

Cationically modified starch polymers can be included in a cleansing composition in the form of hydrolyzed starch (e.g., acid, enzyme, or alkaline degradation), oxidized starch (e.g., peroxide, peracid, hypochlorite, alkaline, or any other oxidizing agent), physically/mechanically degraded starch (e.g., via the thermo-mechanical energy input of the processing equipment), or combinations thereof.

The starch can be readily soluble in water and can form a substantially translucent solution in water. The transparency of the composition is measured by Ultra-Violet/Visible (“UV/VIS”) spectrophotometry, which determines the absorption or transmission of UV/VIS light by a sample, using a Gretag Macbeth Colorimeter Color. A light wavelength of 600 nm has been shown to be adequate for characterizing the degree of clarity of cleansing compositions.

Cationic Copolymer of an Acrylamide Monomer and a Cationic Monomer

A cleansing composition can include a cationic copolymer of an acrylamide monomer and a cationic monomer, wherein the copolymer has a charge density of from about 1.0 meq/g to about 3.0 meq/g. The cationic copolymer can be a synthetic cationic copolymer of acrylamide monomers and cationic monomers.

Suitable cationic polymers can include:

(i) an acrylamide monomer of the following Formula IX:

where R⁹ is H or C₁₋₄ alkyl; and R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, CH₂OCH₃, CH₂OCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, and phenyl, or together are C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl; and

(ii) a cationic monomer conforming to Formula X:

where k=1, each of v, v′, and v″ is independently an integer of from 1 to 6, w is zero or an integer of from 1 to 10, and X⁻ is an anion. A cationic monomer can conform to Formula X where k=1, v=3 and w=0, z=1 and X⁻ is Cl⁻ form the following structure (Formula XI):

As can be appreciated, the above structure can be referred to as diquat. A cationic monomer can conform to Formula X wherein v and v″ are each 3, v′=1, w=1, y=1 and X⁻ is Cl⁻, to form the following structure of Formula XII:

The structure of Formula XII can be referred to as triquat. The acrylamide monomer can be either acrylamide or methacrylamide. The cationic copolymer can be AM:TRIQUAT which is a copolymer of acrylamide and 1,3-Propanediaminium,N-[2-[[[dimethyl[3-[(2-methyl-1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]propyl]ammonio]acetyl]amino]ethyl]2-hydroxy-N,N,N′,N′,N′-pentamethyl-, trichloride. AM:TRIQUAT is also known as polyquaternium 76 (PQ76). AM:TRIQUAT can have a charge density of 1.6 meq/g and a M.Wt. of 1.1 million g/mol.

The cationic copolymer can include an acrylamide monomer and a cationic monomer, wherein the cationic monomer is selected from the group consisting of: dimethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate, ditertiobutylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylaminomethyl (meth)acrylamide, dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylamide; ethylenimine, vinylamine, 2-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine; trimethylammonium ethyl (meth)acrylate chloride, trimethylammonium ethyl (meth)acrylate methyl sulphate, dimethylammonium ethyl (meth)acrylate benzyl chloride, 4-benzoylbenzyl dimethylammonium ethyl acrylate chloride, trimethyl ammonium ethyl (meth)acrylamido chloride, trimethyl ammonium propyl (meth)acrylamido chloride, vinylbenzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride, and mixtures thereof.

The cationic copolymer can include a cationic monomer selected from the group consisting of: trimethylammonium ethyl (meth)acrylate chloride, trimethylammonium ethyl (meth)acrylate methyl sulphate, dimethylammonium ethyl (meth)acrylate benzyl chloride, 4-benzoylbenzyl dimethylammonium ethyl acrylate chloride, trimethyl ammonium ethyl (meth)acrylamido chloride, trimethyl ammonium propyl (meth)acrylamido chloride, vinylbenzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, and mixtures thereof.

The cationic copolymer can be formed from (1) copolymers of (meth)acrylamide and cationic monomers based on (meth)acrylamide, and/or hydrolysis-stable cationic monomers, (2) terpolymers of (meth)acrylamide, monomers based on cationic (meth)acrylic acid esters, and monomers based on (meth)acrylamide, and/or hydrolysis-stable cationic monomers. Monomers based on cationic (meth)acrylic acid esters can be cationized esters of the (meth)acrylic acid containing a quaternized N atom. Cationized esters of the (meth)acrylic acid containing a quaternized N atom can be quaternized dialkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylates with C₁ to C₃ in the alkyl and alkylene groups. The cationized esters of the (meth)acrylic acid containing a quaternized N atom can be selected from the group consisting of ammonium salts of dimethylaminomethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate, diethylaminomethyl (meth)acrylate, diethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate; and diethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate quaternized with methyl chloride. The cationized esters of the (meth)acrylic acid containing a quaternized N atom can be dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, which is quaternized with an alkyl halide, or with methyl chloride or benzyl chloride or dimethyl sulfate (ADAME-Quat). The cationic monomer when based on (meth)acrylamides are quaternized dialkylaminoalkyl(meth)acrylamides with C₁ to C₃ in the alkyl and alkylene groups, or dimethylaminopropylacrylamide, which is quaternized with an alkyl halide, or methyl chloride or benzyl chloride or dimethyl sulfate.

The cationic monomer based on a (meth)acrylamide can be a quaternized dialkylaminoalkyl(meth)acrylamide with C₁ to C₃ in the alkyl and alkylene groups. The cationic monomer based on a (meth)acrylamide can be dimethylaminopropylacrylamide, which is quaternized with an alkyl halide, especially methyl chloride or benzyl chloride or dimethyl sulfate. The cationic monomer can be a hydrolysis-stable cationic monomer. Hydrolysis-stable cationic monomers can be, in addition to a dialkylaminoalkyl(meth)acrylamide, any monomer that can be regarded as stable to the OECD hydrolysis test. The cationic monomer can be hydrolysis-stable and the hydrolysis-stable cationic monomer can be selected from the group consisting of: diallyldimethylammonium chloride and water-soluble, cationic styrene derivatives.

The cationic copolymer can be a terpolymer of acrylamide, 2-dimethylammoniumethyl (meth)acrylate quaternized with methyl chloride (ADAME-Q) and 3-dimethylammoniumpropyl(meth)acrylamide quaternized with methyl chloride (DIMAPA-Q). The cationic copolymer can be formed from acrylamide and acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride, wherein the acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride has a charge density of from about 1.0 meq/g to about 3.0 meq/g.

The cationic copolymer can have a charge density of from about 1.1 meq/g to about 2.5 meq/g, from about 1.1 meq/g to about 2.3 meq/g, from about 1.2 meq/g to about 2.2 meq/g, from about 1.2 meq/g to about 2.1 meq/g, from about 1.3 meq/g to about 2.0 meq/g, and from about 1.3 meq/g to about 1.9 meq/g.

The cationic copolymer can have a M.Wt. from about 100 thousand g/mol to about 2 million g/mol, from about 300 thousand g/mol to about 1.8 million g/mol, from about 500 thousand g/mol to about 1.6 million g/mol, from about 700 thousand g/mol to about 1.4 million g/mol, and from about 900 thousand g/mol to about 1.2 million g/mol.

The cationic copolymer can be a trimethylammoniopropylmethacrylamide chloride-N-Acrylamide copolymer, which is also known as AM:MAPTAC. AM:MAPTAC can have a charge density of about 1.3 meq/g and a M.Wt. of about 1.1 million g/mol. The cationic copolymer can be AM:ATPAC. AM:ATPAC can have a charge density of about 1.8 meq/g and a M.Wt. of about 1.1 million g/mol.

Synthetic Polymers

A cationic polymer can be a synthetic polymer that is formed from:

-   -   i. one or more cationic monomer units, and optionally     -   ii. one or more monomer units bearing a negative charge, and/or     -   iii. a nonionic monomer,         -   wherein the subsequent charge of the copolymer is positive.             The ratio of the three types of monomers is given by “m”,             “p” and “q” where “m” is the number of cationic monomers,             “p” is the number of monomers bearing a negative charge and             “q” is the number of nonionic monomers             The cationic polymers can be water soluble or dispersible,             non-crosslinked, and synthetic cationic polymers which have             the structure of Formula XIII

where A, may be one or more of the following cationic moieties:

where @=amido, alkylamido, ester, ether, alkyl or alkylaryl; where Y=C1-C22 alkyl, alkoxy, alkylidene, alkyl or aryloxy; where ψ=C1-C22 alkyl, alkyloxy, alkyl aryl or alkyl arylox; where Z=C1-C22 alkyl, alkyloxy, aryl or aryloxy; where R1=H, C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl; where s=0 or 1, n=0 or ≥1; where T and R7=C1-C22 alkyl; and where X−=halogen, hydroxide, alkoxide, sulfate or alkylsulfate.

Where the monomer bearing a negative charge is defined by R2′=H, C₁-C₄ linear or branched alkyl and R3 is:

where D=O, N, or S; where Q=NH₂ or 0; where u=1-6; where t=0-1; and where J=oxygenated functional group containing the following elements P, S, C. Where the nonionic monomer is defined by R2″=H, C₁-C₄ linear or branched alkyl, R6=linear or branched alkyl, alkyl aryl, aryl oxy, alkyloxy, alkylaryl oxy and β is defined as

where G′ and G″ are, independently of one another, O, S or N—H and L=0 or 1.

Suitable monomers can include aminoalkyl (meth)acrylates, (meth)aminoalkyl (meth)acrylamides; monomers comprising at least one secondary, tertiary or quaternary amine function, or a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom, vinylamine or ethylenimine; diallyldialkyl ammonium salts; their mixtures, their salts, and macromonomers deriving from therefrom.

Further examples of suitable cationic monomers can include dimethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate, ditertiobutylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylaminomethyl (meth)acrylamide, dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylamide, ethylenimine, vinylamine, 2-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine, trimethylammonium ethyl (meth)acrylate chloride, trimethylammonium ethyl (meth)acrylate methyl sulphate, dimethylammonium ethyl (meth)acrylate benzyl chloride, 4-benzoylbenzyl dimethylammonium ethyl acrylate chloride, trimethyl ammonium ethyl (meth)acrylamido chloride, trimethyl ammonium propyl (meth)acrylamido chloride, vinylbenzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride.

Suitable cationic monomers can include quaternary monomers of formula —NR₃ ⁺, wherein each R can be identical or different, and can be a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group comprising 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a benzyl group, optionally carrying a hydroxyl group, and including an anion (counter-ion). Examples of suitable anions include halides such as chlorides, bromides, sulphates, hydrosulphates, alkylsulphates (for example comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms), phosphates, citrates, formates, and acetates.

Suitable cationic monomers can also include trimethylammonium ethyl (meth)acrylate chloride, trimethylammonium ethyl (meth)acrylate methyl sulphate, dimethylammonium ethyl (meth)acrylate benzyl chloride, 4-benzoylbenzyl dimethylammonium ethyl acrylate chloride, trimethyl ammonium ethyl (meth)acrylamido chloride, trimethyl ammonium propyl (meth)acrylamido chloride, vinylbenzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride. Additional suitable cationic monomers can include trimethyl ammonium propyl (meth)acrylamido chloride.

Examples of monomers bearing a negative charge include alpha ethylenically unsaturated monomers including a phosphate or phosphonate group, alpha ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, monoalkylesters of alpha ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, monoalkylamides of alpha ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, alpha ethylenically unsaturated compounds comprising a sulphonic acid group, and salts of alpha ethylenically unsaturated compounds comprising a sulphonic acid group.

Suitable monomers with a negative charge can include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, vinyl sulphonic acid, salts of vinyl sulfonic acid, vinylbenzene sulphonic acid, salts of vinylbenzene sulphonic acid, alpha-acrylamidomethylpropanesulphonic acid, salts of alpha-acrylamidomethylpropanesulphonic acid, 2-sulphoethyl methacrylate, salts of 2-sulphoethyl methacrylate, acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulphonic acid (AMPS), salts of acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulphonic acid, and styrenesulphonate (SS).

Examples of nonionic monomers can include vinyl acetate, amides of alpha ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters of an alpha ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids with an hydrogenated or fluorinated alcohol, polyethylene oxide (meth)acrylate (i.e. polyethoxylated (meth)acrylic acid), monoalkylesters of alpha ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, monoalkylamides of alpha ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, vinyl nitriles, vinylamine amides, vinyl alcohol, vinyl pyrolidone, and vinyl aromatic compounds.

Suitable nonionic monomers can also include styrene, acrylamide, methacrylamide, acrylonitrile, methylacrylate, ethylacrylate, n-propylacrylate, n-butylacrylate, methylmethacrylate, ethylmethacrylate, n-propylmethacrylate, n-butylmethacrylate, 2-ethyl-hexyl acrylate, 2-ethyl-hexyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethylacrylate and 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate.

The anionic counterion (X⁻) in association with the synthetic cationic polymers can be any known counterion so long as the polymers remain soluble or dispersible in water, in the cleansing composition, or in a coacervate phase of the cleansing composition, and so long as the counterions are physically and chemically compatible with the essential components of the cleansing composition or do not otherwise unduly impair product performance, stability or aesthetics. Non limiting examples of suitable counterions can include halides (e.g., chlorine, fluorine, bromine, iodine), sulfate, and methylsulfate.

The cationic polymer described herein can also aid in repairing damaged hair, particularly chemically treated hair by providing a surrogate hydrophobic F-layer. The microscopically thin F-layer provides natural weatherproofing, while helping to seal in moisture and prevent further damage. Chemical treatments damage the hair cuticle and strip away its protective F-layer. As the F-layer is stripped away, the hair becomes increasingly hydrophilic. It has been found that when lyotropic liquid crystals are applied to chemically treated hair, the hair becomes more hydrophobic and more virgin-like, in both look and feel. Without being limited to any theory, it is believed that the lyotropic liquid crystal complex creates a hydrophobic layer or film, which coats the hair fibers and protects the hair, much like the natural F-layer protects the hair. The hydrophobic layer can return the hair to a generally virgin-like, healthier state. Lyotropic liquid crystals are formed by combining the synthetic cationic polymers described herein with the aforementioned anionic detersive surfactant component of the cleansing composition. The synthetic cationic polymer has a relatively high charge density. It should be noted that some synthetic polymers having a relatively high cationic charge density do not form lyotropic liquid crystals, primarily due to their abnormal linear charge densities. Such synthetic cationic polymers are described in PCT Patent App. No. WO 94/06403 which is incorporated by reference. The synthetic polymers described herein can be formulated in a stable cleansing composition that provides improved conditioning performance, with respect to damaged hair.

Cationic synthetic polymers that can form lyotropic liquid crystals have a cationic charge density of from about 2 meq/gm to about 7 meq/gm, and/or from about 3 meq/gm to about 7 meq/gm, and/or from about 4 meq/gm to about 7 meq/gm. The cationic charge density is about 6.2 meq/gm. The polymers also have a M. Wt. of from about 1,000 to about 5,000,000, and/or from about 10,000 to about 2,000,000, and/or from about 100,000 to about 2,000,000.

Cationic synthetic polymers that provide enhanced conditioning and deposition of benefit agents but do not necessarily form lytropic liquid crystals can have a cationic charge density of from about 0.7 meq/gm to about 7 meq/gm, and/or from about 0.8 meq/gm to about 5 meq/gm, and/or from about 1.0 meq/gm to about 3 meq/gm. The polymers also have a M.Wt. of from about 1,000 g/mol to about 5,000,000 g/mol, from about 10,000 g/mol to about 2,000,000 g/mol, and from about 100,000 g/mol to about 2,000,000 g/mol.

Cationic Cellulose Polymer

Suitable cationic polymers can be cellulose polymers. Suitable cellulose polymers can include salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with trimethyl ammonium substituted epoxide, referred to in the industry (CTFA) as Polyquaternium 10 and available from Dow/Amerchol Corp. (Edison, N.J., USA) in their Polymer LR, JR, and KG series of polymers. Other suitable types of cationic cellulose can include the polymeric quaternary ammonium salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with lauryl dimethyl ammonium-substituted epoxide referred to in the industry (CTFA) as Polyquaternium 24. These materials are available from Dow/Amerchol Corp. under the tradename Polymer LM-200. Other suitable types of cationic cellulose can include the polymeric quaternary ammonium salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with lauryl dimethyl ammonium-substituted epoxide and trimethyl ammonium substituted epoxide referred to in the industry (CTFA) as Polyquaternium 67. These materials are available from Dow/Amerchol Corp. under the tradename SoftCAT Polymer SL-5, SoftCAT Polymer SL-30, Polymer SL-60, Polymer SL-100, Polymer SK-L, Polymer SK-M, Polymer SK-MH, and Polymer SK-H.

Additional cationic polymers are also described in the CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, 3rd edition, edited by Estrin, Crosley, and Haynes, (The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association, Inc., Washington, D.C. (1982)), which is incorporated herein by reference. Techniques for analysis of formation of complex coacervates are known in the art. For example, microscopic analyses of the compositions, at any chosen stage of dilution, can be utilized to identify whether a coacervate phase has formed. Such coacervate phase can be identifiable as an additional emulsified phase in the composition. The use of dyes can aid in distinguishing the coacervate phase from other insoluble phases dispersed in the composition. Additional details about the use of cationic polymers and coacervates are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,272,164 which is incorporated by reference.

Liquid Carrier

As can be appreciated, rinse-off cleansing compositions can desirably be in the form of pourable liquid under ambient conditions. Inclusion of an appropriate quantity of a liquid carrier can facilitate the formation of a cleansing composition having an appropriate viscosity and rheology. A cleansing composition can include, by weight of the composition, about 20% to about 95%, by weight, of a liquid carrier, and about 60% to about 85%, by weight, of a liquid carrier. The liquid carrier can be an aqueous carrier such as water.

Optional Components

As can be appreciated, cleansing compositions described herein can include a variety of optional components to tailor the properties and characteristics of the composition. As can be appreciated, suitable optional components are well known and can generally include any components which are physically and chemically compatible with the essential components of the cleansing compositions described herein. Optional components should not otherwise unduly impair product stability, aesthetics, or performance. Individual concentrations of optional components can generally range from about 0.001% to about 10%, by weight of a cleansing composition. Optional components can be further limited to components which will not impair the clarity of a translucent cleansing composition.

Suitable optional components which can be included in a cleansing composition can include co-surfactants, deposition aids, conditioning agents (including hydrocarbon oils, fatty esters, silicones), anti-dandruff agents, suspending agents, viscosity modifiers, dyes, nonvolatile solvents or diluents (water soluble and insoluble), pearlescent aids, foam boosters, pediculocides, pH adjusting agents, perfumes, preservatives, chelants, proteins, skin active agents, sunscreens, UV absorbers, and vitamins. The CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Handbook, Tenth Edition (published by the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association, Inc., Washington, D.C.) (2004) (hereinafter “CTFA”), describes a wide variety of non-limiting materials that can be added to the composition herein.

Conditioning Agents

A cleansing composition can include a silicone conditioning agent. Suitable silicone conditioning agents can include volatile silicone, non-volatile silicone, or combinations thereof. If including a silicone conditioning agent, the agent can be included from about 0.01% to about 10%, by weight of the composition, from about 0.1% to about 8%, from about 0.1% to about 5%, and/or from about 0.2% to about 3%. Examples of suitable silicone conditioning agents, and optional suspending agents for the silicone, are described in U.S. Reissue Pat. No. 34,584, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,104,646, and 5,106,609, each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

Suitable silicone conditioning agents can have a viscosity, as measured at 25° C., from about 20 centistokes (“csk”) to about 2,000,000 csk, from about 1,000 csk to about 1,800,000 csk, from about 50,000 csk to about 1,500,000 csk, and from about 100,000 csk to about 1,500,000 csk.

The dispersed silicone conditioning agent particles can have a volume average particle diameter ranging from about 0.01 micrometer to about 50 micrometer. For small particle application to hair, the volume average particle diameters can range from about 0.01 micrometer to about 4 micrometer, from about 0.01 micrometer to about 2 micrometer, from about 0.01 micrometer to about 0.5 micrometer. For larger particle application to hair, the volume average particle diameters typically range from about 5 micrometer to about 125 micrometer, from about 10 micrometer to about 90 micrometer, from about 15 micrometer to about 70 micrometer, and/or from about 20 micrometer to about 50 micrometer.

Additional material on silicones including sections discussing silicone fluids, gums, and resins, as well as manufacture of silicones, are found in Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, vol. 15, 2d ed., pp 204-308, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1989), which is incorporated herein by reference.

Silicone emulsions suitable for the cleansing compositions described herein can include emulsions of insoluble polysiloxanes prepared in accordance with the descriptions provided in U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,282 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0276087 each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Suitable insoluble polysiloxanes include polysiloxanes such as alpha, omega hydroxy-terminated polysiloxanes or alpha, omega alkoxy-terminated polysiloxanes having a molecular weight within the range from about 50,000 to about 500,000 g/mol. The insoluble polysiloxane can have an average molecular weight within the range from about 50,000 to about 500,000 g/mol. For example, the insoluble polysiloxane may have an average molecular weight within the range from about 60,000 to about 400,000; from about 75,000 to about 300,000; from about 100,000 to about 200,000; or the average molecular weight may be about 150,000 g/mol. The insoluble polysiloxane can have an average particle size within the range from about 30 nm to about 10 micron. The average particle size may be within the range from about 40 nm to about 5 micron, from about 50 nm to about 1 micron, from about 75 nm to about 500 nm, or about 100 nm, for example.

Other classes of silicones suitable for the cleansing compositions described herein can include i) silicone fluids, including silicone oils, which are flowable materials having viscosity less than about 1,000,000 csk as measured at 25° C.; ii) aminosilicones, which contain at least one primary, secondary or tertiary amine; iii) cationic silicones, which contain at least one quaternary ammonium functional group; iv) silicone gums; which include materials having viscosity greater or equal to 1,000,000 csk as measured at 25° C.; v) silicone resins, which include highly cross-linked polymeric siloxane systems; vi) high refractive index silicones, having refractive index of at least 1.46, and vii) mixtures thereof.

Alternatively, the cleansing composition can be substantially free of silicones. As used herein, substantially free of silicones means from about 0 to about 0.2 wt. %.

Organic Conditioning Materials

The conditioning agent of the cleansing compositions described herein can also include at least one organic conditioning material such as oil or wax, either alone or in combination with other conditioning agents, such as the silicones described above. The organic material can be non-polymeric, oligomeric or polymeric. The organic material can be in the form of an oil or wax and can be added in the cleansing formulation neat or in a pre-emulsified form. Suitable examples of organic conditioning materials can include: i) hydrocarbon oils; ii) polyolefins, iii) fatty esters, iv) fluorinated conditioning compounds, v) fatty alcohols, vi) alkyl glucosides and alkyl glucoside derivatives; vii) quaternary ammonium compounds; viii) polyethylene glycols and polypropylene glycols having a molecular weight of up to about 2,000,000 including those with CTFA names PEG-200, PEG-400, PEG-600, PEG-1000, PEG-2M, PEG-7M, PEG-14M, PEG-45M and mixtures thereof.

Emulsifiers

A variety of anionic and nonionic emulsifiers can be used in the cleansing composition of the present invention. The anionic and nonionic emulsifiers can be either monomeric or polymeric in nature. Monomeric examples include, by way of illustrating and not limitation, alkyl ethoxylates, alkyl sulfates, soaps, and fatty esters and their derivatives. Polymeric examples include, by way of illustrating and not limitation, polyacrylates, polyethylene glycols, and block copolymers and their derivatives. Naturally occurring emulsifiers such as lanolins, lecithin and lignin and their derivatives are also non-limiting examples of useful emulsifiers.

Chelating Agents

The cleansing composition can also comprise a chelant. Suitable chelants include those listed in A E Martell & R M Smith, Critical Stability Constants, Vol. 1, Plenum Press, New York & London (1974) and A E Martell & R D Hancock, Metal Complexes in Aqueous Solution, Plenum Press, New York & London (1996) both incorporated herein by reference. When related to chelants, the term “salts and derivatives thereof” means the salts and derivatives comprising the same functional structure (e.g., same chemical backbone) as the chelant they are referring to and that have similar or better chelating properties. This term include alkali metal, alkaline earth, ammonium, substituted ammonium (i.e. monoethanolammonium, diethanolammonium, triethanolammonium) salts, esters of chelants having an acidic moiety and mixtures thereof, in particular all sodium, potassium or ammonium salts. The term “derivatives” also includes “chelating surfactant” compounds, such as those exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,972, and large molecules comprising one or more chelating groups having the same functional structure as the parent chelants, such as polymeric EDDS (ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid) disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,747,440. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,284,972 and 5,747,440 are each incorporated by reference herein. Suitable chelants can further include histidine.

Levels of an EDDS chelant or histidine chelant in the cleansing compositions can be low. For example, an EDDS chelant or histidine chelant can be included at about 0.01%, by weight. Above about 10% by weight, formulation and/or human safety concerns can arise. The level of an EDDS chelant or histidine chelant can be at least about 0.01%, by weight, at least about 0.05%, by weight, at least about 0.1%, by weight, at least about 0.25%, by weight, at least about 0.5%, by weight, at least about 1%, by weight, or at least about 2%, by weight, by weight of the cleansing composition.

Gel Network

A cleansing composition can also include a fatty alcohol gel network. Gel networks are formed by combining fatty alcohols and surfactants in the ratio of from about 1:1 to about 40:1, from about 2:1 to about 20:1, and/or from about 3:1 to about 10:1. The formation of a gel network involves heating a dispersion of the fatty alcohol in water with the surfactant to a temperature above the melting point of the fatty alcohol. During the mixing process, the fatty alcohol melts, allowing the surfactant to partition into the fatty alcohol droplets. The surfactant brings water along with it into the fatty alcohol. This changes the isotropic fatty alcohol drops into liquid crystalline phase drops. When the mixture is cooled below the chain melt temperature, the liquid crystal phase is converted into a solid crystalline gel network. Gel networks can provide a number of benefits to cleansing compositions. For example, a gel network can provide a stabilizing benefit to cosmetic creams and hair conditioners. In addition, gel networks can provide conditioned feel benefits to hair conditioners and shampoos.

A fatty alcohol can be included in the gel network at a level by weight of from about 0.05%, by weight, to about 14%, by weight. For example, the fatty alcohol can be included in an amount ranging from about 1%, by weight, to about 10%, by weight, and/or from about 6%, by weight, to about 8%, by weight.

Suitable fatty alcohols include those having from about 10 to about 40 carbon atoms, from about 12 to about 22 carbon atoms, from about 16 to about 22 carbon atoms, and/or about 16 to about 18 carbon atoms. These fatty alcohols can be straight or branched chain alcohols and can be saturated or unsaturated. Nonlimiting examples of fatty alcohols include cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof. Mixtures of cetyl and stearyl alcohol in a ratio of from about 20:80 to about 80:20 are suitable.

A gel network can be prepared by charging a vessel with water. The water can then be heated to about 74° C. Cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and surfactant can then be added to the heated water. After incorporation, the resulting mixture can passed through a heat exchanger where the mixture is cooled to about 35° C. Upon cooling, the fatty alcohols and surfactant crystallized can form crystalline gel network. Table 1 provides the components and their respective amounts for an example gel network composition.

To prepare the gel network pre-mix of Table 1, water is heated to about 74° C. and the fatty alcohol and gel network surfactant are added to it in the quantities depicted in Table 1. After incorporation, this mixture is passed through a mill and heat exchanger where it is cooled to about 32° C. As a result of this cooling step, the fatty alcohol, the gel network surfactant, and the water form a crystalline gel network.

TABLE 1 Premix % Gel Network Surfactant* 11.00 Stearyl Alcohol 8% Cetyl Alcohol 4% Water QS *For anionic gel networks, suitable gel network surfactants above include surfactants with a net negative charge including sulfonates, carboxylates and phosphates among others and mixtures thereof.

For cationic gel networks, suitable gel network surfactants above include surfactants with a net positive charge including quaternary ammonium surfactants and mixtures thereof.

For Amphoteric or Zwitterionic gel networks, suitable gel network surfactants above include surfactants with both a positive and negative charge at product usage pH including betaines, amine oxides, sultaines, amino acids among others and mixtures thereof.

Benefit Agents

A cleansing composition can further include one or more benefit agents. Exemplary benefit agents include, but are not limited to, particles, colorants, perfume microcapsules, gel networks, and other insoluble skin or hair conditioning agents such as skin silicones, natural oils such as sun flower oil or castor oil. The benefit agent can be selected from the group consisting of: particles; colorants; perfume microcapsules; gel networks; other insoluble skin or hair conditioning agents such as skin silicones, natural oils such as sun flower oil or castor oil; and mixtures thereof.

Suspending Agent

A cleansing composition can include a suspending agent at concentrations effective for suspending water-insoluble material in dispersed form in the compositions or for modifying the viscosity of the composition. Such concentrations range from about 0.05% to about 10%, and from about 0.3% to about 5.0%, by weight of the compositions. As can be appreciated however, suspending agents may not be necessary when certain glyceride ester crystals are included as certain glyceride ester crystals can act as suitable suspending or structuring agents.

Suitable suspending agents can include anionic polymers and nonionic polymers. Useful herein are vinyl polymers such as cross linked acrylic acid polymers with the CTFA name Carbomer, cellulose derivatives and modified cellulose polymers such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, nitro cellulose, sodium cellulose sulfate, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, crystalline cellulose, cellulose powder, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, guar gum, hydroxypropyl guar gum, xanthan gum, arabia gum, tragacanth, galactan, carob gum, guar gum, karaya gum, carragheenin, pectin, agar, quince seed (Cydonia oblonga Mill), starch (rice, corn, potato, wheat), algae colloids (algae extract), microbiological polymers such as dextran, succinoglucan, pulleran, starch-based polymers such as carboxymethyl starch, methylhydroxypropyl starch, alginic acid-based polymers such as sodium alginate, alginic acid propylene glycol esters, acrylate polymers such as sodium polyacrylate, polyethylacrylate, polyacrylamide, polyethyleneimine, and inorganic water soluble material such as bentonite, aluminum magnesium silicate, laponite, hectonite, and anhydrous silicic acid.

Other suitable suspending agents can include crystalline suspending agents which can be categorized as acyl derivatives, long chain amine oxides, and mixtures thereof. Examples of such suspending agents are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,855, which is incorporated herein by reference. Suitable suspending agents include ethylene glycol esters of fatty acids having from 16 to 22 carbon atoms. The suspending agent can be an ethylene glycol stearates, both mono and distearate, but particularly the distearate containing less than about 7% of the mono stearate. Other suitable suspending agents include alkanol amides of fatty acids, having from about 16 to about 22 carbon atoms, alternatively from about 16 to about 18 carbon atoms, suitable examples of which include stearic monoethanolamide, stearic diethanolamide, stearic monoisopropanolamide and stearic monoethanolamide stearate. Other long chain acyl derivatives include long chain esters of long chain fatty acids (e.g., stearyl stearate, cetyl palmitate, etc.); long chain esters of long chain alkanol amides (e.g., stearamide diethanolamide distearate, stearamide monoethanolamide stearate); and glyceryl esters as previously described. Long chain acyl derivatives, ethylene glycol esters of long chain carboxylic acids, long chain amine oxides, and alkanol amides of long chain carboxylic acids can also be used as suspending agents.

Other long chain acyl derivatives suitable for use as suspending agents include N,N-dihydrocarbyl amido benzoic acid and soluble salts thereof (e.g., Na, K), particularly N,N-di(hydrogenated) C₁₆, C₁₈ and tallow amido benzoic acid species of this family, which are commercially available from Stepan® Company (Northfield, Ill., USA).

Examples of suitable long chain amine oxides for use as suspending agents include alkyl dimethyl amine oxides, e.g., stearyl dimethyl amine oxide.

Other suitable suspending agents include primary amines having a fatty alkyl moiety having at least about 16 carbon atoms, examples of which include palmitamine or stearamine, and secondary amines having two fatty alkyl moieties each having at least about 12 carbon atoms, examples of which include dipalmitoylamine or di(hydrogenated tallow)amine Still other suitable suspending agents include di(hydrogenated tallow)phthalic acid amide, and crosslinked maleic anhydride-methyl vinyl ether copolymer.

Other suitable suspending agents include crystallizable glyceride esters. For example, in certain embodiments, suitable glyceride esters are hydrogenated castor oils such as trihydroxystearin or dihydroxystearin. Examples of additional crystallizable glyceride esters can include the substantially pure triglyceride of 12-hydroxystearic acid. 12-hydroxystearic acid is the pure form of a fully hydrogenated triglyceride of 12-hydrox-9-cis-octadecenoic acid. As can be appreciated, many additional glyceride esters are possible. For example, variations in the hydrogenation process and natural variations in castor oil can enable the production of additional suitable glyceride esters from castor oil.

Viscosity Modifiers

Viscosity modifiers can be used to modify the rheology of a cleansing composition. Suitable viscosity modifiers can include Carbomers with tradenames Carbopol 934, Carbopol 940, Carbopol 950, Carbopol 980, and Carbopol 981, all available from B. F. Goodrich Company, acrylates/steareth-20 methacrylate copolymer with tradename ACRYSOL 22 available from Rohm and Hass, nonoxynyl hydroxyethylcellulose with tradename AMERCELL POLYMER HM-1500 available from Amerchol, methylcellulose with tradename BENECEL, hydroxyethyl cellulose with tradename NATROSOL, hydroxypropyl cellulose with tradename KLUCEL, cetyl hydroxyethyl cellulose with tradename POLYSURF 67, all supplied by Hercules, ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide based polymers with tradenames CARBOWAX PEGs, POLYOX WASRs, and UCON FLUIDS, all supplied by Amerchol. Sodium chloride can also be used as a viscosity modifier. Other suitable rheology modifiers can include cross-linked acrylates, cross-linked maleic anhydride co-methylvinylethers, hydrophobically modified associative polymers, and mixtures thereof.

The cleansing composition can have a viscosity of about 1 cP to about 20,000 cP, or from about 100 cps to about 15,000 cps, or from 2,500 cP to about 12,000 cP, or from 1 cP to about 5000 cP, or from about 3,500 cP to about 8,500 cP, measured at 26.6° C. with a Brookfield R/S Plus Rheometer at 2 s⁻¹. cP means centipoises.

Dispersed Particles

Dispersed particles as known in the art can be included in a cleansing composition. If including such dispersed particles, the particles can be incorporated, by weight of the composition, at levels of about 0.025% or more, about 0.05% or more, about 0.1% or more, about 0.25% or more, and about 0.5% or more. However, the cleansing compositions can also contain, by weight of the composition, about 20% or fewer dispersed particles, about 10% or fewer dispersed particles, about 5% or fewer dispersed particles, about 3% or fewer dispersed particles, and about 2% or fewer dispersed particles.

As can be appreciated, a cleansing composition can include still further optional components. For example, amino acids can be included. Suitable amino acids can include water soluble vitamins such as vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, C, pantothenic acid, pantothenyl ethyl ether, panthenol, biotin, and their derivatives, water soluble amino acids such as asparagine, alanin, indole, glutamic acid and their salts, water insoluble vitamins such as vitamin A, D, E, and their derivatives, water insoluble amino acids such as tyrosine, tryptamine, and their salts.

Anti-Dandruff Actives

A shampoo composition can also contain an anti-dandruff agent. Suitable anti-dandruff agents can include pyridinethione salts, azoles, selenium sulfide, particulate sulfur, and mixtures thereof. Such anti-dandruff particulate should be physically and chemically compatible with the essential components of the composition, and should not otherwise unduly impair product stability, aesthetics or performance A shampoo composition can include a cationic polymer to enhance deposition of an anti-dandruff active.

Pyridinethione Salts

An anti-dandruff agent can be a pyridinethione particulate such as a 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinethione salt. The concentration of pyridinethione anti-dandruff particulates can range from about 0.1% to about 4%, about 0.1% to about 3%, and from about 0.3% to about 2% by weight of the composition. Suitable pyridinethione salts include those formed from heavy metals such as zinc, tin, cadmium, magnesium, aluminum and zirconium, particularly suitable is the zinc salt of 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinethione (known as “zinc pyridinethione” or “ZPT”), 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinethione salts in platelet particle form, wherein the particles have an average size of up to about 20μ, up to about 5μ, up to about 2.5 Salts formed from other cations, such as sodium, can also be suitable. Pyridinethione anti-dandruff agents are further described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,809,971; 3,236,733; 3,753,196; 3,761,418; 4,345,080; 4,323,683; 4,379,753; and 4,470,982, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. It is contemplated that when ZPT is used as the anti-dandruff particulate, that the growth or re-growth of hair may be stimulated or regulated, or both, or that hair loss may be reduced or inhibited, or that hair may appear thicker or fuller.

Other Anti-Microbial Actives

In addition to the anti-dandruff active selected from polyvalent metal salts of pyrithione, a shampoo composition can further include one or more anti-fungal or anti-microbial actives in addition to the metal pyrithione salt actives. Suitable anti-microbial actives include coal tar, sulfur, whitfield's ointment, castellani's paint, aluminum chloride, gentian violet, octopirox (piroctone olamine), ciclopirox olamine, undecylenic acid and it's metal salts, potassium permanganate, selenium sulphide, sodium thiosulfate, propylene glycol, oil of bitter orange, urea preparations, griseofulvin, 8-hydroxyquinoline ciloquinol, thiobendazole, thiocarbamates, haloprogin, polyenes, hydroxypyridone, morpholine, benzylamine, allylamines (such as terbinafine), tea tree oil, clove leaf oil, coriander, palmarosa, berberine, thyme red, cinnamon oil, cinnamic aldehyde, citronellic acid, hinokitol, ichthyol pale, Sensiva SC-50, Elestab HP-100, azelaic acid, lyticase, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC), isothiazalinones such as octyl isothiazalinone and azoles, and combinations thereof. Suitable anti-microbials can include itraconazole, ketoconazole, selenium sulphide and coal tar.

Soluble Anti-Dandruff Agent

A suitable anti-microbial agent can be one material or a mixture selected from azoles, such as climbazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, econazole, and elubiol; hydroxy pyridones, such as piroctone olamine, ciclopirox, rilopirox, and MEA-Hydroxyoctyloxypyridinone; kerolytic agents, such as salicylic acid and other hydroxy acids strobilurins such as azoxystrobin and metal chelators such as 1,10-phenanthroline. Examples of azole anti-microbials can include imidazoles such as benzimidazole, benzothiazole, bifonazole, butaconazole nitrate, climbazole, clotrimazole, croconazole, eberconazole, econazole, elubiol, fenticonazole, fluconazole, flutimazole, isoconazole, ketoconazole, lanoconazole, metronidazole, miconazole, neticonazole, omoconazole, oxiconazole nitrate, sertaconazole, sulconazole nitrate, tioconazole, thiazole, and triazoles such as terconazole and itraconazole, and combinations thereof. When present in a shampoo composition, the soluble anti-microbial active can be included in an amount from about 0.01% to about 5%, from about 0.5% to about 6%, from about 0.1% to about 3%, from about OA % to about 9%, from about 0.1 to about 1.5 from about 0.1% to about 2%, and more from about 0.3% to about 2%, by weight of the composition.

Selenium Sulfide

Selenium sulfide is a particulate anti-dandruff agent suitable for use as an anti-microbial compositions when included at concentrations of about 0.1% to about 4%, by weight of the composition, from about 0.3% to about 2.5% by weight, and from about 0.5% to about 1.5% by weight. Selenium sulfide is generally regarded as a compound having one mole of selenium and two moles of sulfur, although it may also be a cyclic structure that conforms to the general formula Se_(x)S_(y), wherein x+y=8. Average particle diameters for the selenium sulfide are typically less than 15 μm, as measured by forward laser light scattering device (e.g. Malvern 3600 instrument), less than 10 μm. Selenium sulfide compounds are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,694,668; 3,152,046; 4,089,945; and 4,885,107, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Sulfur

Sulfur can also be used as a particulate anti-microbial/anti-dandruff agent. Effective concentrations of the particulate sulfur are typically from about 1% to about 4%, by weight of the composition, alternatively from about 2% to about 4%.

Keratolytic Agents

Keratolytic agents such as salicylic acid can also be included in a shampoo composition described herein.

Other

Additional anti-microbial actives can include extracts of melaleuca (tea tree), wintergreen (such as gaultheria procumbens leaf) and charcoal. As can be appreciated, shampoo compositions can also include combinations of anti-microbial actives. Suitable combinations can include octopirox and zinc pyrithione combinations, pine tar and sulfur combinations, salicylic acid and zinc pyrithione combinations, octopirox and climbasole combinations, and salicylic acid and octopirox combinations, and mixtures thereof.

One or more stabilizers can be included. For example, one or more of ethylene glycol distearate, citric, citrate, a preservative such as kathon, sodium benzoate, sodium salicylate and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (“EDTA”) can be included to improve the lifespan of a cleansing composition.

Test Methods Clarity Assessment Measurement of % Transmittance (% T)

Techniques for analysis of formation of complex coacervates are known in the art. One method to assess coacervate formation upon dilution for a transparent or translucent composition is to use a spectrophotometer to measure the percentage of light transmitted through the diluted sample (% T). As percent light transmittance (% T) values measured of the dilution decrease, typically higher levels of coacervate are formed. Dilutions samples at various weight ratios of water to composition can be prepared, for example 2 parts of water to 1 part composition (2:1), or 7.5 parts of water to 1 part composition (7.5:1), or 16 parts of water to 1 part composition (16:1), or 34 parts of water to 1 part composition (34:1), and the % T measured for each dilution ratio sample. Examples of possible dilution ratios may include 2:1, 3:1, 5:1, 7.5:1, 11:1, 16:1, 24:1, or 34:1. By averaging the % T values for samples that span a range of dilution ratios, it is possible to simulate and ascertain how much coacervate a composition on average would form as a consumer applies the composition to wet hair, lathers, and then rinses it out. Average % T can be calculated by taking the numerical average of individual % T measurements for the following dilution ratios: 2:1, 3:1, 5:1, 7.5:1, 11:1, 16:1, 24:1, and 34:1.

% T can be measured using Ultra-Violet/Visible (UV/VI) spectrophotometry which determines the transmission of UV/VIS light through a sample. A light wavelength of 600 nm has been shown to be adequate for characterizing the degree of light transmittance through a sample. Typically, it is best to follow the specific instructions relating to the specific spectrophotometer being used. In general, the procedure for measuring percent transmittance starts by setting the spectrophotometer to 600 nm. Then a calibration “blank” is run to calibrate the readout to 100 percent transmittance. A single test sample is then placed in a cuvette designed to fit the specific spectrophotometer and care is taken to ensure no air bubbles are within the sample before the % T is measured by the spectrophotometer at 600 nm. Alternatively, multiple samples can be measured simultaneously by using a spectrophotometer such as the SpectraMax M-5 available from Molecular Devices. Multiple dilution samples can be prepared within a 96 well plate (VWR catalog #82006-448) and then transferred to a 96 well visible flat bottom plate (Greiner part #655-001), ensuring that no air bubbles are within the sample. The flat bottom plate is placed within the SpectraMax M-5 and % T measured using the Software Pro v.5™ software available from Molecular Devices.

Visual Analysis and Cross-Polarized Microscopy

One day after sample preparation, samples were visually assessed for turbidity and phase separation. All formulations were analyzed for birefringence using cross-polarized light microscopy at 10× magnification. Liquid crystals were identified by comparing with images from Rosevear.^(30,31) Development of liquid crystalline phases was considered undesirable for the intended use of the formulations.

pH

pH was measured (three determinations per formulation) using a Mettler Toledo® DL-67 titrator (Columbus, Ohio, USA) and a DG 111-SC glass electrode/silver chloride electrode combination. The electrode was calibrated using four standards including pH 1, 4, 7 and 10.

Rheology

The steady-shear viscosity of formulations free from precipitation was investigated over the range 0.1 to 100 s⁻¹ using a Discovery HR-2 rheometer (TA Instruments®, New Castle, Del., USA) equipped with a 40 mm flat plate geometry and a Peltier plate temperature stage set to 25° C. Zero-shear viscosity of each formulation was obtained by fitting a modified Carreau model (see Raju, K. V. S. N.; Krishna, D.; Devi, G. R.; Reddy, P. J.; Yaseen, M., Assessment of applicability of carreau, ellis, and cross models to the viscosity data of resin solutions. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 1993, 48 (12), 2101-2112, incorporated by reference) to the experimental data using the TRIOS software.

Steady state and oscillatory rheometry measurements were collected for samples with tracer particles using a Discovery HR-3 rheometer (TA Instruments®) equipped with a 60 mm aluminum, 2° cone and a Peltier plate temperature stage set to 25° C. Prior to measurement, the cone geometry's inertia and friction were corrected, and the air bearing was mapped in precision mode using the TRIOS software. Flow sweep measurements were performed over the range 0.1 to 100 s⁻¹. Frequency sweep measurements were performed using a 0.25% strain from 0.1 to 500 rad/s to obtain the storage modulus G′ and loss modulus G″. Data with raw phase angle greater than 175° were eliminated. Data of the beaded samples were compared to those of the no bead samples to confirm that viscosity was not affected by adding the beads.

Examples

SLSar 30% (Maprosyl® 30-B, available from Stepan®), CAHS 43.5% (Amphosol® CS-50, available from Stepan®) containing 6% sodium chloride were combined at a 6:9 weight ratio and then blended with each nonionic cosurfactant in Table 2, below, with a total active surfactant concentration of 15 wt %. For oscillatory rheometry and DWS measurements, 600 nm sulfate latex microspheres (available from Life Technologies, Carlsbad, Calif., USA) were added to the samples at 0.5 wt % before lowering the pH to ensure homogenous mixing. The pH was adjusted using citric acid. Samples were analyzed after equilibration at room temperature overnight.

TABLE 2 Tested Nonionic Cosurfactants Type Material name Fatty alcohol C_(n)OH C₁₀OH Decanol¹ C₁₂OH Dodecanol¹ Ethoxylated fatty C₁₀E₃ C10 Alcohol ethoxylate EO 2.5² alcohols C_(n)E₃ C₁₂E₃ C12 Alcohol ethoxylate EO 3² Ethoxylated fatty C₁₀E₆ C10 Alcohol ethoxylate EO 6² alcohols C_(n)E₆ C₁₂E₆ C12 Alcohol ethoxylate EO 6.5² Alkanediols C_(n)diol C₁₀diol 1,2-Decanediol¹ C₁₂diol 1,2-Dodecanediol¹ C₁₄diol 1,2-Tetradecanediol³ Fatty acid C_(n)Acid C₁₂Acid Lauric acid¹ ¹Available from Sigma Aldrich ® (St. Louis, Missouri, USA) ²Available from Stepan ® Company (Northfield, Illinois, USA) ³Available from Santa Cruz Biotechnology (Dallas, Texas, USA)

FIG. 1 shows the effect of adding nonionic cosurfactants at increasing mole fraction (X_(cosurfactant)) on zero-shear viscosity (η0) of SLSar 6/CAHS 9 system. All formulations were within pH 7-8, except for C12Acid series which had pH values of 6-7.

All samples plotted in FIG. 1 were visually clear and isotropic under cross-polarized light microscopy, according to the Visual Analysis and Cross-Polarized Microscopy Test Method, described herein. It was found that samples with cosurfactant concentration higher than those plotted in FIG. 1 showed phase separation with a white lamellar phase on top and a clear isotropic phase at the bottom. The lamellar phase was identified by the characteristic Maltese cross pattern. The pH of all samples was from 7-8, except the C₁₂acid which lowered the pH to 6-7, which suggests that adding most nonionic cosurfactants did not affect the pH of the systems.

For all systems except for C_(n)E₆, viscosity increased as cosurfactant concentration increased until it reached the solubility limit, at which point phase separation occurred. For C_(n)E₆ cosurfactants, viscosity remained low with increasing cosurfactant concentration and the C_(n)E₆ cosurfactants may not be preferred. No phase separation was observed in the tested formulations. The diols, C_(n)E₃ and C_(n)E₆ additives showed no differences in viscosity between C₁₀ and C₁₂ chains at low cosurfactant concentration. At higher cosurfactant concentration, a C₁₂ chain exhibited higher viscosity than C₁₀ and C₁₄ chains for all head groups except for C_(n)OH. For C_(n)OH, C₁₀OH showed a significantly higher viscosity than C₁₂OH at all concentrations. In this example, viscosity was effectively increased in the order of C₁₀OH>diol≅C₁₂acid>C_(n)E₃>C_(n)E₆. The transition from low viscosity to high viscosity to lamellar phase as cosurfactant concentration increased indicated an increase in packing parameter.

FIGS. 2A and 2B shows representative graphs of zero-shear viscosity (η0) as a function of pH for of SLSar 6/CAHS 9 system. FIG. 2A has C₁₀OH, nonionic surfactant, and FIG. 2B has C₁₀E₆, nonionic surfactant.

The samples plotted in FIGS. 2A and 2B were visually clear and isotropic under cross-polarized light microscopy, according to the Visual Analysis and Cross-Polarized Microscopy Test Method, described herein. At pH values lower than those plotted, samples became turbid and phase separation occurred. For the SLSar 6/CAHS 9 system with no cosurfactant, the turbidity was due to the SLSar acid precipitate. For the C₁₀OH and C₁₀E₆ containing samples, phase separation was observed with a turbid lamellar phase on top and a clear isotropic phase at the bottom. This was also true for the remaining cosurfactants, except for C₁₂diol and C₁₄diol, which showed crystallization in many samples upon storage at room temperature.

Three of the four C₁₀OH systems showed an increase in zero-shear viscosity with decreasing pH, followed by a decrease (FIG. 2A). The exception was the system with the highest amount of C₁₀OH tested (1.875%), which showed a decrease in viscosity with decreasing pH without evidence of a viscosity maximum. Although the pattern in the pH-viscosity curves was similar for the no additive SLSar/CAHS system and those containing C₁₀OH, the magnitude and pH of the viscosity maxima were shifted. Adding C₁₀OH lowered the viscosity maximum, while shifting it to higher pH.

All four systems containing C₁₀E₆ showed lower viscosity maxima as additive concentration increased (FIG. 2B). The pH of the viscosity maxima was shifted to lower pH, in contrast to the C₁₀OH series in FIG. 2B.

Based on FIGS. 2A and 2B, two main effects were observed when adding cosurfactants to the SLSar 6/CAHS 9 system: a change in the magnitude of viscosity maximum and a pH shift of this maximum. These two effects were not directly correlated and were observed with all tested nonionic cosurfactants.

FIG. 3A shows viscosity maximum as a function of cosurfactant concentration. Increasing concentration of cosurfactant decreased the viscosity maximum. For each type of head group, a longer alkyl chain resulted in a higher maximum viscosity than a shorter one at the same mole fraction, except for C_(n)OH at x=0.17. The effect of cosurfactant head group on thickening was in the order No additive>diol>C₁₂Acid>C_(n)OH>C_(n)E3>C_(n)E6. This is similar to the order of decreasing solubility of the additive, which suggests that the more hydrophobic the cosurfactant, the higher the viscosity maximum.

FIG. 3B shows the shift in pH of viscosity maximum with respect to cosurfactant concentration. Increasing concentration of cosurfactant shifted the pH to a higher value, except for C_(n)E₆ which shifted the pH to a lower one. There was no clear trend in the pH shift between different tail lengths. The effect of cosurfactant head group on pH of viscosity maximum was in the order of C_(n)OH>C₁₂Acid>diol>C_(n)E₃>No additive>C_(n)E₆.

The rinse-off cleansing compositions illustrated in the following Examples could be prepared by conventional formulation and mixing methods, an example of which is set forth below. All exemplified amounts are listed as weight percent of active material and exclude minor materials such as diluents, preservatives, color solutions, imagery ingredients, botanicals, and so forth, unless otherwise specified. All percentages are based on weight unless otherwise specified.

TABLE 3 Rinse-off Compositions Example Example Example A B C Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine 8.625% 8.25%  7.875% Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate  5.75%  5.5%  5.25% Dimethiconol  0.3%  0.3%   0.3% Cationic Cellulose  0.25% 0.25%   0.8% Acrylates Copolymer — —   0.2% (RheoCare ® TTA) EDTA  0.1%  0.1%   0.2% Sodium Benzoate  0.8%  0.8% — Methylchloroisothiazolinone and — — 0.0033% Methylisothiazolinone (Kathon ™) Sodium Salicylate  0.5%  0.5% — Fragrance  1.0%  1.0%   1.0% Sodium Citrate  2.5%  2.5%   2.5% Decanol^(†) 0.625% 1.25%  1.875% ^(†)Nonionic surfactant can be decanol, as exemplified above. The compositions can include nonionic surfactants including decanol, dodecanol, C10 Alcohol ethoxylate EO 2.5, C12 Alcohol ethoxylate EO 3, C10 Alcohol ethoxylate EO 6, C12 Alcohol ethoxylate EO 6.5, 1,2-Decanediol, 1,2-Dodecanediol, 1,2-Tetradecanediol, lauric acid, and combinations thereof.

If Examples A, B, and C were tested at different pH, as done in FIG. 2A, it is expected that the graph of viscosity vs. pH would appear similar to the graph in FIG. 2A.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A rinse-off cleansing composition comprising: a surfactant system comprising an anionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, and a non-ionic surfactant; wherein the surfactant system is substantially free of sulfate-based surfactants.
 2. The rinse-off cleansing composition of claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of anionic surfactant to amphoteric surfactant is from about 2:1 to about 1:10.
 3. The rinse-off cleansing composition of claim 1, wherein the composition has a viscosity of about 100 cps to about 15,000 cps, measured at 26.6° C. with a Brookfield R/S Plus Rheometer at 2 s⁻¹.
 4. The rinse-off cleansing composition of claim 1, wherein the pH is greater than about
 5. 5. The rinse-off cleansing composition of claim 1, wherein the anionic surfactant is a sodium, ammonium or potassium salt of an isethionate, a sulfonate, an ether sulfonate, a sulfosuccinate, a sulfoacetate, a glycinate, a sarcosinate, a glutamate, an alaninate, a carboxylate, a taurate, a phosphate ester, or a combination of these.
 6. The rinse-off cleansing composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is substantially free of a surfactant selected from sodium alkyl sulfate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium lauroamphoacetate, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium chloride and mixtures thereof.
 7. The rinse-off cleansing composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises at least one amphoteric surfactant selected from betaines, sultaines, hydroxysultanes, amphohydroxypropyl sulfonates, alkyl amphoactates, alkyl amphodiacetates, or combination thereof.
 8. The rinse-off cleansing composition of claim 1, wherein the nonionic surfactant is selected from decanol, dodecanol, C10 alcohol ethoxylate EO 2.5, C12 alcohol ethoxylate EO 3, C10 alcohol ethoxylate EO 6, C12 alcohol ethoxylate EO 6.5, 1,2-decanediol, 1,2-dodecanediol, 1,2-tetradecanediol, lauric acid, and combinations thereof.
 9. The rinse-off cleansing composition of claim 8, wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises decanol.
 10. The rinse-off cleansing composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises an anti-microbial agent selected from azoles, climbazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, econazole, elubiol, hydroxy pyridones, piroctone olamine, ciclopirox, rilopirox, MEA-Hydroxyoctyloxypyridinon, kerolytic agents, salicylic acid, hydroxy acids, strobilurins, azoxystrobin, metal chelators, 1,10-phenanthroline, and combinations thereof.
 11. The rinse-off cleansing composition of claim 1, wherein the composition has a % T value of greater than about 80, preferably greater than 85, and more preferably greater than 90, according to the Clarity Assessment Test Method.
 12. The rinse-off cleansing composition of claim 1, wherein the inorganic salt level is from about 0 wt % to about 0.9 wt %, preferably from about 0 wt % to about 0.8 wt %, preferably from about 0 wt % to about 0.2 wt %. 